Why is calcium important?

Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in keeping your body healthy. It is best known for supporting strong bones and teeth, but calcium is also involved in muscle movement, nerve signalling and heart function.

Your body cannot produce calcium on its own, so it must be obtained through your diet or, in some cases, supplements. Maintaining healthy calcium levels throughout life helps support long term bone health and reduces the risk of certain conditions.

Below, we explain what calcium does in the body, why it is important at different stages of life and how you can support healthy calcium levels.

What does calcium do in the body?

Calcium is involved in many important processes. Around 99% of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones and teeth, where it provides strength and structure. The remaining 1% is found in your blood and soft tissues, where it supports essential functions.

Key roles of calcium include:

• Supporting strong bones and teeth

• Helping muscles contract and relax

• Assisting nerves in sending signals around the body

• Supporting normal blood clotting

• Helping regulate heart rhythm

Because calcium is so important, your body carefully controls the level of calcium in your blood. If dietary intake is too low, calcium may be taken from your bones to maintain these vital functions.

Why is calcium important for bone health?

Calcium is a major building block of bone. During childhood and adolescence, calcium helps bones grow and develop. In adulthood, it helps maintain bone strength.

As we age, bone breakdown can begin to exceed bone formation. If calcium intake is insufficient, bones may gradually become weaker, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Ensuring adequate calcium intake throughout life is one of the key ways to support bone density and reduce the risk of bone related conditions later on.

How does calcium support muscles and nerves?

Calcium plays an essential role in muscle contraction. When a nerve stimulates a muscle, calcium is released inside the muscle cells, allowing them to shorten and generate movement. Without enough calcium, muscles may not function properly.

Calcium also helps nerves transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body. This allows messages to travel efficiently, supporting movement, coordination and reflexes.

Is calcium important for heart health?

Calcium helps regulate the contraction of the heart muscle and supports a steady heartbeat. It also plays a role in blood clotting, which helps prevent excessive bleeding after injury.

Maintaining balanced calcium levels is important, as both low and high levels can affect normal heart rhythm and muscle function. Calcium levels are usually considered alongside other minerals such as magnesium and potassium when assessing overall cardiovascular health.

What happens if calcium levels are low?

Low calcium levels, sometimes referred to as hypocalcaemia, can affect several areas of health. Mild deficiency may not cause obvious symptoms, but over time it can contribute to weakened bones.

Possible signs of low calcium levels include:

• Muscle cramps or spasms

• Brittle nails

• Fatigue

• Tingling sensations in the fingers

• Increased risk of fractures

Low calcium levels may be linked to dietary intake, vitamin D deficiency or certain medical conditions that affect absorption.

Where do we get calcium from?

Calcium is found in a variety of foods, including:

• Milk, cheese and yoghurt

• Leafy green vegetables such as kale and broccoli

• Fortified plant based milks

• Nuts and seeds

• Tinned fish with edible bones, such as sardines

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, so maintaining healthy vitamin D levels also supports calcium balance.

Who may need to pay closer attention to calcium levels?

Some people may be at a higher risk of low calcium levels, including:

• Postmenopausal women

• Older adults

• People who avoid dairy products

• Those with digestive conditions affecting absorption

• Individuals with low vitamin D levels

How are calcium levels checked?

Calcium levels are measured using a simple blood test. This test checks the amount of calcium circulating in your blood and helps assess whether levels fall within a healthy range.

Your results are usually interpreted alongside other markers, such as vitamin D, phosphate and parathyroid hormone, to build a clearer picture of your bone and mineral health.

Why might I consider a health check that includes calcium?

A health check that includes calcium can help identify potential imbalances early, before symptoms develop. This can be particularly helpful if you are concerned about bone health, muscle function or long term wellbeing.

At Bluecrest Wellness, our blood tests are designed to give clear insights into key health markers, helping you understand what is happening inside your body and take steps to protect your future health.

Check your mineral and bone health

At Bluecrest Wellness, calcium is measured as part of our Blood Health Profile, which is available within our comprehensive private health checks. The Blood Health Profile can also be added as an individual test to many of our existing full body health check packages. This gives you the flexibility to choose the level of testing that best suits your needs.

All tests are available nationwide, making it easy to find a location near you.

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Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.